Geoff JohnsonBoth the OKC Thunder and the Golden State Warriors are already in the NBA playoffs, but they still have something to play for and also the idea to stay in shape as they meet this Thursday at 10:30 PM ET.
The Thunder wants to finish as the best team in the Western conference; that’s why they need to keep winning. The victory 90-80 over the Jazz on Tuesday changed the whole scenario for the West.
“You guys are going to hear it first tonight: We’re going to rest Kevin the rest of the season. Breaking news,” coach Scott Brooks quipped. “I don’t know how to answer that other than he’s going to play, and he’s going to play a lot of minutes. It hasn’t affected us one bit. Obviously when you’re 24 and have the energy he has, and the ability to play at the level he has minutes is really not a factor. We’ve never gone into a playoff series and said, `Man he’s tired. He’s beat up. We’re not going to be able to get anything out of him.”
The Warriors achieved their playoffs spot after they beat the Timberwolves on Tuesday. “We celebrated. Rightfully so. “People questioned us, and they should have. People doubted us, and they should have. They underestimated the heart, the desire, the work ethic, the determination, the willingness to put in the time.”
OKC has won seven of the last 10 against Golden State.
